Floral stem supports formed of hollow wire and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A hollow wire and method of using the hollow wire to wrap or support a flower stem or floral grouping, and/or use in construction, crafts, hobbies, or other uses in need of wire products, is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE STATEMENT

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/424,573, filed Mar. 20, 2012, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/881,164, filed Jul. 26, 2007, now abandoned; which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 11/823,429, filed Jun. 27, 2007, now abandoned; which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Ser. No. 60/816,745, filed Jun. 27, 2006. The entire contents of each of the above-referenced patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Wire is a commonly used mechanical aid in floral arranging and numerous other fields. In the floral industry, the most important uses for wire include supporting flower stems, such as in straightening a curved stem, curving a straight stem, or gathering and holding multiple stems together. While floral arrangers generally want to avoid any visible wires and other aids, for many florists the wiring of stems is considered a requirement for increasing customer satisfaction. Support wires can help prevent breakage of the flower heads during delivery and also assist flowers in receiving adequate water. Other important uses of support wires include their use in flower stem replacement, creating accessory stems in corsage and carried bouquet construction, joining stems into clusters for a single insertion, plus a wide array of other miscellaneous attachment and joining functions.

Florist wire is often treated (annealed) for improved flexibility and is often coated with an enamel (often green) to resist rusting and to blend with the floral stems and foliage. Florist wire is available from floral crafts stores in small quantities of 6″ or 12″ lengths, but florists usually obtain the 18″ length in 12 pound boxes, from which they can cut the other needed sizes. The important distinction among the wire strands is their size or gauge. Wire size is related by the gauge number: the smaller the wire diameter, the larger the gauge number. The general applications of the different wire sizes used by florists include, but are not limited to: heavy wire of #16-#18 gauge is used to support large stems or heavy flowers such as lilies, gladiolus, and snapdragons; medium weight wire of #20-#22 gauge is used to support stems of such flowers as roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums; light weight wire of #24-#26 gauge is used for replacing stems in corsages and bridal bouquets with flowers of average size, or to support smaller or lighter flower stems; very fine wire of #28-#30 gauge is used for delicate corsage flowers and for binding together stems with a heavier support wire; ultra fine wire of #32-#36 gauge is used for very delicate flowers and fine work in bridal arrangements, dainty corsages, and for glamellias.

The several methods of wiring replacement stems can be used in corsage construction. For general arranging work the emphasis is on stem support, with the selected method based on the character of the flower stem. In the majority of situations, the straight-wire (or wrapped wire) method will be used. Roses, carnations, and many other flowers with solid stems are usually wired in this way. One end of the wire is inserted into the base of the calyx (the stem enlargement just below the flower). The insertion needs to be only deep enough to keep the wire end from slipping out, as the rest of the wire is loosely wrapped in a spiral down the stem. With the wire of the appropriate gauge, it should be easy to flex the wire around the leaves, but one should avoid making too many turns around the stem with the wire. When completed, the wire should be reasonably straight for best wire strength and support. Some flowers, such as chrysanthemums, have a small, flat calyx which may not hold the wire end as desired. For these flowers, the hook-wire method can be more effective. In this method, the wire end is pushed from the calyx base through the flower face. A small hook is made in the wire end, and the wire is then pulled back to embed (and conceal) the wire in the flower face. The remaining wire is loosely wrapped about the stem as for the straight-wire method. A third technique, insertion wiring, works best with those flowers having fleshy or hollow stems, such as but not limited to, many of the spring bulb flowers. An outside wire wrap would only crush these stems. Instead, the wire is passed up through the hollow stem until it is imbedded in the calyx from the inside.

Some additional wire forms are also used in commercial and home floral arranging. When making wreaths or floral sprays, a continuous length of smaller gauge wire is needed for binding together the components as they are added. Paddle wire, either green-enameled or unpainted in #20-#26 gauges, is readily available for this purpose. Some arrangers will also use products referred to as twist-ems or twist-ties, which comprises wire enclosed in a narrow paper cover. This product is available in continuous rolls to cut to the length needed. Another common support material is referred to as the chenille stem or pipe cleaner. This support material is actually composed of two wire strands that are twisted to hold threads, such as fuzzy colored threads, that make up the stem body. Most chenille stems are used in corsage work or in making accessories, but some other applications are possible when a colored joining wire may be desired.

An alternative joining material is floral tape or paraffin tape. This is a thin paper tape impregnated with paraffin. Such tape may be used instead of wire to secure a stem to a wood pick or to bind together a cluster of stems. It is also used as a wire wrap for extra rust resistance when the wire is in direct contact with water. It may also give a cushion along the wire to reduce possible damage to a delicate flower or stem. The tape typically comes in rolls of ½″ or 1″ width in a variety of colors. The main use of floral tape is in the construction of corsages, but there are opportunities for its benefit as a general floral arranging mechanical aid.

Floral ribbon wire may be used in corsage and carried flower arrangements, commercial designs and some home designs. Such arrangements and designs may include bows or various ribbon accessories as an important visible component or for other appropriate uses.

Wired ribbon (also referred to herein as “ribbon wire”) can be constructed by sandwiching wire between webs of satin (acetate) ribbon. The wired ribbon may have a solid color, or the wired ribbon may have printed patterns, lace or eyelet edges, or other decorative treatments. The finish on the two sides of the wired ribbon may the same or different; for example, one side of the wired ribbon may be satin or shiny finish, while the other side may reveal a fabric weave and have a duller finish.

Flocked or velvet wired ribbon may be satin ribbons with a velvety texture on one side. This added thickness makes them stiffer to aid in the production of bows, and the image of this added thickness is also especially popular for adding texture to holiday wreaths and other arrangements, as well as for use simply as bows or streamers alone. Cloth wired ribbon offers a wide variety of colors and patterns. These are usually one-sided colors or prints only, and the cloth does not offer the same crispness as satin ribbon for bow loops. Paper is also used as a wired ribbon material. These are made in a variety of solid colors and widths. The paper wired ribbon is loosely folded and twisted into a narrow coil, and it is unfolded as desired for use in a bow, wrap, or other decorative effect. This wrinkling in the paper adds to the informal image of the arrangement where this type of wired ribbon is appropriate. Wired ribbon allows dramatic images to be created, e.g., ribbon streamers can be softly bent to suggest that they are moving due to wind. While this does add to the ribbon cost, it also allows for a design impact that is not possible from the other types of wired ribbons. Other options that may fit the ribbon class of accessories include but are not limited to, curling ribbons, metallic cord, and solid or multi-colored yarn.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,713 discloses a hollow tubular device having a longitudinal opening. The hollow device can be used to enclose and surround a plant stem for supporting the stem in a floral arrangement. However, this tubular device cannot be used to wrap a floral stem, or inserted into a floral stem, or used in other aspects of floral construction or decoration in the same way floral wire can be used.

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is directed to a novel type of hollow wire which retains the size, strength and usefulness of a solid wire while reducing the weight of the wire. Such hollow wire may be utilized in any desired floral packaging, including, but not limited to, floral stem support, and paddle and spool wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow wire of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8 thereof.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of FIG. 9 taken along line 10-10 thereof.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12 thereof.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of FIG. 13 taken along line 14-14 thereof.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of FIG. 15 taken along line 16-16 thereof.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 18 is a cross-section view of the hollow wire of FIG. 17 taken along line 18-18 thereof.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a coated hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 20 is a cross-section view of the coated hollow wire of FIG. 19 taken along line 20-20 thereof.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a coated hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 22 is a cross-section view of the coated hollow wire of FIG. 21 taken along line 22-22 thereof.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a hollow wired ribbon constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 24 is a cross-section view of the hollow wired ribbon of FIG. 23 taken along line 24-24 thereof.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a hollow wired ribbon constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of the hollow wired ribbon of FIG. 25 taken along line 26-26 thereof.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) attached thereto.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) attached thereto.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) attached thereto.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) attached thereto.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) attached thereto.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a flower stem having a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) attached thereto.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a floral grouping formed of a plurality of flowers wherein a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is wrapped about stems of the flowers.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a corsage formed from a floral grouping and utilizing a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in the construction of the corsage.

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of a wire mesh formed of a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 37 is a pictorial representation of a floral easel having a floral grouping connected to a support member formed of a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a stone or casket plaque easel formed of a hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 39 is a pictorial representation of the stone or casket plaque easel of FIG. 38 supported on a casket and having a floral grouping mounted thereon.

FIG. 40 is a pictorial representation of the stone or casket plaque easel of FIG. 38 supported on a headstone and having a floral grouping mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in detail, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Unless otherwise defined herein, technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

All patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) pertains. All patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications referenced in any portion of this application are herein expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual patent or publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

All of the articles and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the articles and methods of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the articles and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.

As utilized in accordance with the present disclosure, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings:

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects. For example but not by way of limitation, when the term “about” is utilized, the designated value may vary by plus or minus twelve percent, or eleven percent, or ten percent, or nine percent, or eight percent, or seven percent, or six percent, or five percent, or four percent, or three percent, or two percent, or one percent. The use of the term “at least one” will be understood to include one as well as any quantity more than one, including but not limited to, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, etc. The term “at least one” may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, the quantities of 100/1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactory results. In addition, the use of the term “at least one of X, Y and Z” will be understood to include X alone, Y alone, and Z alone, as well as any combination of X, Y and Z. The use of ordinal number terminology (i.e., “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, etc.) is solely for the purpose of differentiating between two or more items and is not meant to imply any sequence or order or importance to one item over another or any order of addition, for example.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, MB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

As used herein, the term “substantially” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance completely occurs or that the subsequently described event or circumstance occurs to a great extent or degree. For example, the term “substantially” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance occurs at least 90% of the time, or at least 95% of the time, or at least 98% of the time.

The terms “flower”, “floral bouquet”, “floral arrangement”, “floral grouping”, “corsage,” and other floral terms used herein will be understood to include at least one fresh, dried, or artificial floral material, or any combination thereof. Such terms are not limited to floral materials having both a bloom and stem end, but may include plant materials without a bloom end.

Turning now to the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), floral wire is an important tool in the modern floral industry and is used for constructing floral bouquets, floral arrangements, corsages and the like. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) contemplates a novel hollow floral wire, and methods of use thereof in constructing items such as but not limited to, floral bouquets, floral arrangements, corsages, and the like. The hollow wire contemplated herein may also be used in the hobby and craft industries as well as in the fields of detonation and construction, for example, for tying together materials such as steel or iron mesh or reinforcing rods and bars, or similar structures made of polymeric materials or wood materials.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10 is a hollow wire constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The hollow wire 10 is provided with a sidewall 12 having an outer surface 14, an inner surface 16, an outer (external) diameter 18, and an inner (internal) diameter 20. The sidewall 12 of the hollow wire 10 is continuous and is thus closed along substantially its entire length except at the terminal ends. The gauge of the hollow wire 10 can vary widely and will depend to a large extent on the use of the hollow wire 10. The hollow wire 10 may be provided with any gauge of wire known in the art as desirable for use in the applications described herein. Generally, however, the gauge of the hollow wire 10 will range from 8 to 40, such as but not limited to, gauges 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40. The gauge of the hollow wire 10 is, however, not limited to these particular sizes.

The hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be formed of any material that can function in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as disclosed and required herein. For example but not by way of limitation, the hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be constructed of steel, aluminum, other metals, metal alloys, polymers, paper, carbon fibers, carbon nanoparticles, carbon nanotube impregnated polymers, carbon nanotubes, combinations and derivatives thereof, and the like.

Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is another embodiment of hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) designated generally therein by the reference numeral 30. The hollow wire 30 is provided with a sidewall 32, having an outer surface 34, an inner surface 36, an outer (external) diameter 38 and an inner (internal) diameter 40. The hollow wire 30 is similar in construction to the hollow wire 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the sidewall 32 of hollow wire 30 is not continuous along its length and has a gap 44 formed between a first longitudinal edge 46 and a second longitudinal edge 48 of the sidewall 32. The gap 44 is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire 30. However, it is to be understood that the gap 44 may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire 30, with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire 30 being substantially closed.

Shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is another embodiment of hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) designated therein by the reference numeral 50. The hollow wire 50 is provided with a sidewall 52 having an outer surface 54, an inner surface 56, an outer (external) diameter 58 and an inner (internal) diameter 60. The hollow wire 50 is similar in construction to the hollow wire 30 of FIGS. 3 and 4, except that the sidewall 52 of the hollow wire 50 has a first longitudinal edge 64 and a second longitudinal edge 66 which extend longitudinally along the length of the hollow wire 50 and abut one another to form an abutting portion 68.

The abutting portion 68 may be attached or connected together by a bonding material, or other methods known in the art; optionally, the abutting portion 68 may not be connected, and the shape of the hollow wire 50 may be maintained via the structural characteristics of the material from which the hollow wire 50 is formed. In addition, the abutting portion 68 is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire 50. However, it is to be understood that the abutting portion 68 may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire 50, with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire 50 being open and/or the first and second longitudinal edges 64 and 66 being overlapped.

Shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is another embodiment of hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) designated generally therein by the reference numeral 70. The hollow wire 70 is provided with a sidewall 72 having an outer surface 74, an inner surface 76, an outer (external) diameter 78 and an inner (internal) diameter 80. The hollow wire 70 is similar in construction to the hollow wire 50 of FIGS. 5 and 6, except that the sidewall 72 of the hollow wire 70 has a first longitudinal edge 84 and a second longitudinal edge 86 which extend longitudinally along the length of the hollow wire 70 and overlap to form an overlapping portion 88.

The overlapping portion 88 may be attached or connected together by a bonding material, or other methods known in the art; optionally, the overlapping portion 88 may not be connected, and the shape of the hollow wire 70 may be maintained via the structural characteristics of the material from which the hollow wire 70 is formed. In addition, the overlapping portion 88 is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire 70. However, it is to be understood that the overlapping portion 88 may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire 70, with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire 70 being open and/or the first and second longitudinal edges 84 and 86 abutting one another.

Shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is another embodiment of hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) designated generally therein by the reference numeral 90. The hollow wire 90 is provided with a sidewall 92 having an outer surface 94, an inner surface 96, an outer (external) diameter 98 and an inner (internal) diameter 100. The hollow wire 90 is similar in construction to the hollow wire 70 hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, except that the hollow wire 90 has a first longitudinal edge 104 and a second longitudinal edge 106 which are spatially disposed and overlap, thus forming a gap 108 which extends along the length of the hollow wire 90 substantially as shown.

While the gap 108 is illustrated as extending longitudinally, completely or substantially completely, along the length of the hollow wire 90, it is to be understood that the gap 108 may only extend longitudinally along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire 90, with the remainder of the length of the hollow wire 90 being open and/or the first and second longitudinal edges 104 and 106 being overlapped and/or abutted against one another.

While FIGS. 3-10 illustrate hollow wires with either a gap 44, an abutting portion 68, an overlapping portion 88, or an overlapping portion with a gap 108, extending along substantially the entire length thereof, it is to be understood that a single length of hollow wire may be provided with a combination of two or more of the above, each extending separately along a portion of the length thereof. That is, the first and second longitudinal edges of a sidewall of a hollow wire may abut one another along a portion of the length of the hollow wire, may have a gap between one another along another portion of the length thereof, may overlap along another portion of the length of the hollow wire, and/or then may overlap but be spatially disposed from one another to provide a gap there between along yet another portion of the length of the hollow wire. It is to be understood that the hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be provided with any number and combination of structures disclosed herein along a single length thereof.

While FIGS. 1-10 are illustrated as having a substantially circular cross-section, it is to be understood that the hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited to such structures. Rather, any desired cross-sectional structure known in the art for wire or hollow devices or otherwise contemplated for use by a person having ordinary skill in the art, given this disclosure, may be utilized in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). For example but not by way of limitation, FIGS. 11-14 specifically illustrate two other cross-sectional configurations that may be used in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a hollow wire 110 provided with a sidewall 112 having an outer surface 114, an inner surface 116 and an inner space 118. The hollow wire 110 is provided with a substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a hollow wire 130 provided with a sidewall 132 having an oval, elliptical, or partially flattened cross-sectional configuration. The sidewall 132 of the hollow wire 130 has an outer surface 134 and an inner surface 136. The sidewall 132 has a first outer (external) diameter 138 in a substantially vertical direction and a second outer diameter 140 in a substantially horizontal direction. The sidewall 132 also has a first inner (internal) diameter 142 in a substantially vertical direction and a second inner diameter 144 in a substantially horizontal direction. The hollow wire 130 has an inner space 148.

While specific cross-sectional configurations are shown herein for various embodiments of the hollow wire described herein, it is to be understood that the hollow wire may have any desired cross-sectional configuration known in the art, including but not limited to, circular, oval, elliptical, parabolic, open curve, closed curve, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, trapezoidal, or any other polygonal cross-sections known in the art.

While the embodiments of hollow wire described herein above are provided with a substantially tubular structure, it is to be understood that the hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited to substantially closed, tubular structures. Instead, the hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) also includes open cross-sectional structures that function in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). FIGS. 15-18 and their accompanying description describe two particular embodiments of such open cross-sectional structures of hollow wire; however, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited to the particular open structures shown therein, but rather any open cross-sectional structure that can function as hollow wire in the applications described herein also falls within the scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate one such embodiment of hollow wire having an open cross-sectional structure in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), the hollow wire being designated generally therein by the reference numeral 150. The hollow wire 150 is provided with a sidewall 152 having an outer surface 154 and an inner surface 156, an outer (external) diameter 158, an inner (internal) diameter 160, a first longitudinal edge 162 and a second longitudinal edge 164. The hollow wire 150 is similar in construction to the hollow wire 10 hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the hollow wire 150 is provided with a substantially half-circular cross-sectional configuration rather than the circular cross-sectional configuration of the hollow wire 10. That is, the first and second longitudinal edges 162 and 164 of the hollow wire 150 do not connect but rather are disposed substantially parallel to one another such that the hollow wire 150 is provided with a substantially semi-circular or trough-shaped cross-sectional configuration that provides an inner space 166.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate another embodiment of hollow wire having an open cross-sectional structure of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), the hollow wire being designated generally therein by the reference numeral 170. The hollow wire 170 is provided with a first leg portion 172 and a second leg portion 174. The second leg portion 174 extends angularly from the first leg portion 172 so as to provide the hollow wire 170 with a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration substantially as shown in FIG. 18. Thus, the first and second legs 172 and 174 cooperate to define a trough 176 extending along the length of the hollow wire 170. Further, the first and second legs 172 and 174 cooperate to provide the hollow wire 170 with a height 178 and a width 180 at an upper end of the trough 176 of the hollow wire 170. The trough 176 thus defines an inner space of the hollow wire 170.

While the troughs of the hollow wires of FIGS. 15-18 have been depicted as being substantially linear as they extend longitudinally from one end of the hollow wire to the opposite end, it is to be understood that the troughs may extend in any non-linear form longitudinally, such as for example, but not by way of limitation, in a spiral configuration longitudinally.

For FIGS. 15-18, a flower stem may be disposed and held in place thereabout with or without requiring that the flower stem be affixed to the hollow wire 150 or 170. For example, a bonding material may be required to maintain the hollow wire 150 or 170 in a position about the flower stem; alternatively, the hollow wire 150 or 170 could be wrapped spirally about the flower stem and thus maintained in a position about the flower stem without requiring the use of a bonding material.

The term “bonding material” as used herein, means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of two materials or portions of the same material. Examples of bonding materials used in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) include, but are not limited to, adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, cohesives, heat sealable materials such as heat sealable lacquers and hot melt materials, sonic sealable and vibratory sealable materials, ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes (including single or double-sided adhesive tapes), staples and combinations thereof.

In yet another embodiment of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), any of the hollow wires described herein previously may be provided with an outer coating disposed on at least a portion thereof. FIGS. 19-26 illustrate outer coatings disposed on exemplary hollow wire cores, and also illustrate different types and configurations of such outer coatings, as described in greater detail herein below.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a hollow wire 190 that includes a hollow core 191 and an outer coating 192. The hollow wire 191 may be similar in construction to any of the hollow wires described herein, such as but not limited to the hollow wire 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The outer coating 192 may be constructed of any suitable material known in the art for coating wire. For example but not by way of limitation, the outer coating 192 may be constructed of paper, plastic, ribbon material, rubber, polymeric material, fabric, enamel, paint, metal, metalized fabric, metalized polymeric film, ceramic material, flocking, bonding material, combinations hereof, or any other material known by a person of ordinary skill in the art for covering a wire.

It should be noted that any of the hollow wires described herein may be completely, or partially covered with an outer coating, such as the outer coating 192, along at least a portion of a length thereof. For example, shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is a hollow wire 200 having a hollow core 201 and an outer coating 202. The hollow core 201 is similar in construction to the hollow wire 30 hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, the hollow core 201 is provided with a gap 204 which extends longitudinally along the length of the hollow core 201. The outer coating 202, which is constructed of material similar to those of the outer coating 192 of the hollow wire 190, does not extend completely over a gap 204 of the hollow core 201. However, it should be understood that the outer coating 202 could be modified to coat and cover the gap 204 of hollow core 201 if desired.

It is to be understood that any of the hollow wires described herein previously may be provided with an outer coating on at least a portion thereof, as described in relation to FIGS. 19-22 or as otherwise described herein or known in the art. Thus, such coated hollow wires (or partially coated hollow wires also fall within the scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Another embodiment of hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, and is designated therein by the general reference numeral 210. The hollow wire 210 is provided with a hollow core 211 and an outer coating 212. The hollow core 211 may be similar in construction to any of the hollow wires 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, 110 and 130 hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1-14, or any other hollow wire described herein. However, the outer coating 212 defines a pair of oppositely disposed wings 214 and 216 substantially as shown. Thus, the hollow wire 210 can be used as a “ribbon wire” as known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example but not by way of limitation, the outer layer 212 may be formed of one or more layers of paper, plastic, rubber, fabric, ribbon material, polymeric material, metal, ceramic, paint, combinations thereof, or any other such material known for the purpose of covering a wire by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

It is to be understood that while the hollow wire 210 is illustrated as having a pair of oppositely disposed wings 214 and 216, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited to the hollow wire 210 having two wings. For example, the hollow wire 210 may be constructed with a single wing. This embodiment of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) would result in the hollow core 211 being disposed on an outer edge of the hollow wire 210, rather than being disposed in the center 210 of the hollow wire 210, as shown in FIGS. 23-24. In such embodiment, the outer coating 212 may extend around the hollow core 211 and therefore fully cover the hollow core 211, or a portion of the hollow core 211 may extend beyond the outer coating 212 and thus be exposed.

Any of the hollow wires described herein may be used in the manner of the hollow wire 210 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 or as described elsewhere herein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, a hollow wire 220 includes a hollow core 221 covered by an outer layer 222 having a pair of oppositely wings 224 and 226 substantially as shown. The hollow core 221 is provided with a longitudinally extending gap 228 and is similar in construction to the hollow wire 30 hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Shown in FIG. 27 is yet another embodiment of hollow wire in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) that is designated therein by the reference numeral 230. The hollow wire 230 is similar in construction to the hollow wire 10 hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the hollow wire 230 has one or more corrugated or scored portions 232 to facilitate bending of the hollow wire 230. The corrugated or scored portions 232 may be disposed along only a portion of the length of the hollow wire 230, substantially as shown in FIG. 27, or the corrugated or scored portions 232 may extend substantially along the entire length of the hollow wire 230. Any of the hollow wires described hereinbefore may be provided with corrugated or scored portions in a similar manner.

In addition, any of the hollow wires described herein may be provided with at least one interlocking portion that functions to maintain the hollow wire in a bent position. The interlocking portions may be utilized with the corrugated or scored portions 232 as known in the art. In one embodiment, the interlocking portion may be a hook-like extension that engages a groove or triangular crease on another portion of the hollow wire. However, other examples of interlocking portions are known in the art, and therefore the above-described example of an interlocking portion is not to be considered limiting.

Any of the embodiments of hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) can be used in a variety of manners, including but not limited to, any uses for which floral wire is acceptable, including but not limited to, floral arranging, craft or hobby uses, home decor uses, and other various decorative uses. For example, FIGS. 28-33 demonstrate five uses of a hollow wire 240 (which may be any of the hollow wires hereinbefore described) in supporting a single plant stem 242 of a flower or plant 244. In FIG. 28, the hollow wire 240 is wrapped about the plant stem 242 by methods known in the art for wrapping floral wire about a plant stem. In FIG. 29, the hollow wire 240 is inserted into the plant stem 242 of the flower or plant 244 by methods known in the art for inserting floral wire into a plant stem. In FIG. 30, the hollow wire 240 is extended along the plant stem 242 of the flower or plant 244 and provides support at an upper portion thereof, wherein the hollow wire 240 is hooked about or through a portion of the plant stem 245.

In FIG. 31, the hollow wire 240 is disposed substantially parallel to and substantially adjacent at least a portion of the plant stem 242 of the flower or plant 244. Rather than wrapping the hollow wire 240 about the plant stem 242, the hollow wire 240 and the plant stem 242 are simply placed side-by-side, and floral tape 246 is then wrapped about at least a portion thereof to hold the hollow wire 240 in position about the plant stem 242 and provide support thereto. In FIG. 32, the hollow wire 240 is inserted into the plant stem 242 or a portion of a flower head 248 (such as a calyx of the flower head 248) of the flower or plant 244 and extends up into the flower head 248 of the flower or plant 244. A hook 249 is then formed in the end of the hollow wire 240 extending through the flower head 248, and the hollow wire 240 is then pulled back down through the flower 242 until the hook is firmly embedded in the flower head 248. The portion of the hollow wire 240 disposed adjacent the plant stem 242 may then be wrapped thereabout, as described in relation to FIG. 28, or taped thereabout, as described in relation to FIG. 31.

In another method, the hollow wire 240 may be inserted as described for FIG. 32, except the hollow wire 240 does not extend through the flower head 248. That is, the hollow wire 240 is inserted into the plant stem 242 or a portion of the flower head 248 without extending above the top of the flower head 248 to form the loop 249; in this fashion, an upper end of the hollow wire 240 is not visible in the manner shown in FIG. 32.

In FIG. 33, at least a portion of the plant stem 242 of the flower or plant 244 is inserted into the hollow wire 240.

Any of the techniques described herein with reference to FIGS. 28-33, as well as any other methods described herein or known in the art, may be utilized to lengthen the stem of a flower in addition to providing support thereto. This lengthening is accomplished by simply having the hollow wire extend beyond the plant stem.

Once the hollow wire 240 is disposed about or through the plant stem 242 by any of the methods shown in FIGS. 28-33 or otherwise known in the art, the plant stem 242 and hollow wire 240 may be wrapped with floral tape is desired, and can then be inserted together into a floral foam or other floral support material for supporting the plant. Alternatively, a number of flowers and/or plants can be combined to form a floral grouping. When combined to form the floral grouping, only one or only a portion of the floral grouping may have hollow wire disposed thereabout to support the individual flowers and/or plants.

Optionally, rather than disposing hollow wire about one or more individual flowers and/or plants that are then utilized in producing a floral grouping, a plurality of flowers and/or plants may be first combined to form the floral grouping, and then at least one piece of hollow wire disposed about the floral grouping. For example, FIG. 34 depicts a floral grouping 250 comprising a grouping of flowers, each having a plant stem 252. The flowers are bunched together such that the plurality of plants stems 252 are brought into close proximity to one another, and then at least one hollow wire 254 (which may be any of the hollow wires herein before described) is wrapped about the plurality of plant stems 252 to secure the floral grouping.

Any of the methods described herein may include the step of taping at least a portion of wired flower(s) and/or plant(s) with floral tape. Taping serves several purposes, including but not limited to, holding moisture into the stem of a flower or plant, concealing the hollow wire, and ensuring that the flower/plant does not slip out of a wired mount.

FIG. 35 depicts a corsage 260 produced using a hollow wire 262 of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The hollow wire 262 may be any of the hollow wires described herein. The corsage 260 comprises at least one flower 264, and may further comprise at least one filler material 266. Examples of filler materials utilized in the art of corsage making include, but are not limited to, baby's breath, leaves, ribbons, bows, and combinations thereof. The flower 264 and the at least one filler material 266 are placed together such that at least a portion of their stems are substantially adjacent and parallel. Then the hollow wire 262 is wrapped about at least a portion thereof by any of the methods described herein or known in the art. The stems with hollow wire 262 disposed thereabout may further be wrapped with floral tape, if desired.

The hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may also be used to construct various wire forms that are utilized in various floral and craft embodiments. FIG. 36 is a top plan view of a wire netting or mesh 270 which may be employed in the construction of various types of floral arrangements, such as corsages, floral wreaths, and the like. Any of the hollow wires hereinbefore described can be employed in the construction of the wire netting or mesh 270; and the wire netting or mesh 270 can be formed using conventional procedures well known in the art. In addition, the wire netting or mesh 270 may be used in a substantially flattened form as shown in FIG. 36, or the wire netting or mesh 270 may be shaped into any desired floral or craft form known in the art. Other types of floral or craft wire forms are known in the art, and the use of hollow wire in the construction of the same also falls within the scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). In addition, the wire netting or mesh 270 formed of the hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may also be utilized in the formation of fencing or caging materials, such as but not limited to, animal or poultry-type fencing, tomato caging, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 37, shown therein is a pictorial representation of a wreath 280 supported on an easel 282 via a support member 284. The support member 284 may assume any floral wire form known in the art, and can be fabricated using any of the hollow wire hereinbefore describe; therefore, the particular form of the support member 284 shown in FIG. 37 is for the purposes of illustration only. The support member 284 is of conventional construction, as is the construction of the wreath 280 and its attachment to the support member 284. Thus, no further comments concerning the construction of the support member 284 or its connection to the wreath 280 or the easel 282 is believed necessary in order to enable those skilled in the art to construct and use the support member 284 constructed of the hollow wires of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

In addition, at least a portion of the floral easel 282 of FIG. 37 may also be formed of a hollow wire in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Referring now to FIGS. 38-40, shown therein is a floral easel or plaque 290 for use with a headstone, monument stone and/or casket. The terms “easel”, “plaque” and “saddle” are used herein interchangeably in describing the apparatus shown in FIGS. 38-40.

At least a portion of the floral easel or plaque 290 is constructed utilizing hollow wires of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). For example, at least a portion of the floral easel or plaque 290 can be fabricated of the hollow wire 10 or any other hollow wire hereinbefore described, and if desired, at least a portion of the hollow wire can be provided with a coating, such as but not limited to the outer coatings 192, 202 or 212 of the hollow wires 190, 200 or 210, respectively. FIG. 39 depicts the use of the floral easel or plaque 290 in supporting a floral grouping 292 attached thereto on a casket 294, whereas FIG. 40 illustrates the use of the floral easel or plaque 290 in supporting the floral grouping 292 on a headstone 296.

The construction of the floral easel or plaque 290 is well known, as is the use of same to support a floral grouping on a casket and/or a stone in a cemetery. Thus, no further comments concerning the construction of the floral easel or plaque 290 or the attachment of the floral grouping 292 thereto is believed necessary for one skilled in the art to construct and employ a stone and/or casket floral easel utilizing the hollow wires of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

In addition, while one specific embodiment of a floral easel or plaque for use with caskets and/or monuments is described in illustrated herein, it is to be understood that any variations in floral easels or plaques known in the art and utilized for this same purpose also fall within the scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) when formed of hollow wire in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Further, it is to be understood that the floral easels, plaques and/or saddles formed of hollow wire in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be utilized for any desired purpose, for example but not by way of limitation, with caskets, tombstones, headstones, stone monuments, and any other type of memorial.

Other uses of the hollow wire of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art of the floral industry or other industries in which wires may be used, including, but not limited to bag-closing wires, bale ties, pail handles, spiral bindings, (such as spiral bound notebooks), staples, craft and hobby wire, greening pins, staple wire, nails and the like may apply.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as defined in the following claims.

From the above description, it is clear that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). While certain embodiments of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventive concept(s) disclosed and claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of supporting a flower, comprising: wrapping a floral stem support about at least a portion of a stem of at least one flower, the floral stem support comprising a hollow wire having a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein the floral stem support is wrapped about the stem a plurality of times.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of: (a) the hollow wire is further defined as having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; (b) a gauge of the hollow wire is in a range of from about 8 to about 40; (c) the hollow wire has a circular, oval, elliptical, and/or parabolic cross-section; (d) the hollow wire has a polygonal cross-section selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, and trapezoidal cross-sections; (e) the hollow wire has at least one corrugated and/or scored portion; (f) the hollow wire has at least one interlocking portion; and (g) the hollow wire is covered with a coating selected from the group consisting of paper, plastic, fabric, ribbon, rubber, polymeric material, metal, enamel, paint, metallized fabric, metallized polymeric film, ceramic material, flocking, bonding material, and combinations thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hollow wire is further defined as having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of: (a) at least a portion of the first and second longitudinal edges of the hollow wire overlap; (b) at least a portion of the first and second longitudinal edges of the hollow wire abut one another; (c) the hollow wire has a gap between the first and second longitudinal edges; (d) the hollow wire has a longitudinal groove which extends along a length of the hollow wire.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hollow wire is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, other metals, metal alloys, polymers, paper, carbon fibers, carbon nanoparticles, carbon nanotube impregnated polymers, carbon nanotubes, combinations and derivatives thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one flower is further defined as a plurality of flowers, each having a stem, and wherein the hollow wire is wrapped about at least a portion of the plurality of stems of the plurality of flowers.
 7. A method of supporting a flower, comprising: disposing at least a portion of a floral stem support substantially parallel to and substantially adjacent at least a portion of a stem of at least one flower, the floral stem support comprising a hollow wire having a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface; securing at least a portion of the floral stem support about at least a portion of the stem, thereby providing support to the at least one flower.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the securing step is further defined as wrapping a portion of the floral stem support about an upper portion of the stem.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the securing step is further defined as wrapping a tape about at least a portion of the adjacent portions of the floral stem support and the stem.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of: (a) the hollow wire is further defined as having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; (b) a gauge of the hollow wire is in a range of from about 8 to about 40; (c) the hollow wire has a circular, oval, elliptical, and/or parabolic cross-section; (d) the hollow wire has a polygonal cross-section selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, and trapezoidal cross-sections; (e) the hollow wire has at least one corrugated and/or scored portion; (f) the hollow wire has at least one interlocking portion; and (g) the hollow wire is covered with a coating selected from the group consisting of paper, plastic, fabric, ribbon, rubber, polymeric material, metal, enamel, paint, metallized fabric, metallized polymeric film, ceramic material, flocking, bonding material, and combinations thereof.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the hollow wire is further defined as having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of: (a) at least a portion of the first and second longitudinal edges of the hollow wire overlap; (b) at least a portion of the first and second longitudinal edges of the hollow wire abut one another; (c) the hollow wire has a gap between the first and second longitudinal edges; (d) the hollow wire has a longitudinal groove which extends along a length of the hollow wire.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the hollow wire is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, other metals, metal alloys, polymers, paper, carbon fibers, carbon nanoparticles, carbon nanotube impregnated polymers, carbon nanotubes, combinations and derivatives thereof.
 14. A method of supporting a flower, comprising: inserting at least a portion of a stem of at least one flower into a floral stem support, the floral stem support comprising a hollow wire having a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein the portion of the stem is disposed within a space surrounded by the inner surface of the hollow wire.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of: (a) the hollow wire is further defined as having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; (b) a gauge of the hollow wire is in a range of from about 8 to about 40; (c) the hollow wire has a circular, oval, elliptical, and/or parabolic cross-section; (d) the hollow wire has a polygonal cross-section selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, and trapezoidal cross-sections; (e) the hollow wire has at least one corrugated and/or scored portion; (f) the hollow wire has at least one interlocking portion; and (g) the hollow wire is covered with a coating selected from the group consisting of paper, plastic, fabric, ribbon, rubber, polymeric material, metal, enamel, paint, metallized fabric, metallized polymeric film, ceramic material, flocking, bonding material, and combinations thereof.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the hollow wire is further defined as having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of: (a) at least a portion of the first and second longitudinal edges of the hollow wire overlap; (b) at least a portion of the first and second longitudinal edges of the hollow wire abut one another; (c) the hollow wire has a gap between the first and second longitudinal edges; (d) the hollow wire has a longitudinal groove which extends along a length of the hollow wire.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the hollow wire is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, other metals, metal alloys, polymers, paper, carbon fibers, carbon nanoparticles, carbon nanotube impregnated polymers, carbon nanotubes, combinations and derivatives thereof. 